Toward an Understanding of Russia

Foreign policy analyses written by CFR fellows and published by the trade presses, academic presses, or the Council on Foreign Relations Press.

If Russia veers toward instability or a more severe dictatorship under President Vladimir Putin, the threat to its neighbors could be severe. Such a scenario would also present serious challenges for European integration and derail the process of Russian rapprochement with the United States.

This book offers a view of Russia’s unsteady evolution through the eyes of analysts from the new democracies of central and eastern Europe. Gleaned from the proceedings of an innovative international conference, these articles provide a unique regional perspective on Russia’s domestic politics, economic development, energy policies, internal security, and foreign policy toward its European and Central Asian neighbors, the European Union, NATO, and the United States.

Adam B. Schiff (D-CA) discusses the national security implications of Russia's U.S. election interference, and the security concerns associated with North Korea and withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In the Council Special Report Containing Russia: How to Respond to Moscow’s Intervention in U.S. Democracy and Growing Geopolitical Challenge, Robert D. Blackwill and Philip H. Gordon argue that the U.S. response to Russia’s continued attacks on U.S. democracy and attempts to undermine U.S. power worldwide has been insufficient to deter future attacks.

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